Bonjour, Bonvoy: Marriott, SPG Cards Getting New Names, Perks

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UPDATE Feb. 13, 2019: Marriott's loyalty program has been rebranded as Marriott Bonvoy, and the following cards are no longer available on NerdWallet:

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express

Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card

Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card

Below is NerdWallet's article from Jan. 23, 2019, updated to reflect the changes already made to Marriott- and Starwood-branded cards, as well as those still to come:

When Marriott International announced it would rebrand its loyalty program as Marriott Bonvoy on Feb. 13, 2019, it was clear that changes to the Marriott- and Starwood Preferred Guest-branded credit cards would follow.

Now, Chase and American Express — the issuers that offer co-branded cards with Marriott — have released more details about the changes, which include new card names and new benefits.

The two issuers will be divvying up the portfolio:

American Express will be the issuer of the Marriott-branded business credit card and luxury card.

Chase will be the issuer of the mass-market Marriott consumer card and a new no-annual-fee Marriott card planned to launch this summer.

Changes to AmEx cards

AmEx's SPG-branded credit cards will become Marriott Bonvoy credit cards. For the most part, core benefits are staying the same — but some perks and limited-time offers are being added, and all cards are getting new designs.

"We’re very excited to enter the next chapter of our partnership with Marriott, and very excited about what our collective cardmembers and customers are going to get out of that in terms of value and service," says Eva Reda, executive vice president of co-brand partnerships for American Express.

Feb. 13, 2019: The card's name changes from the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express to the Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card. At that time, AmEx was to stop accepting new applications for this card, the issuer said.

Feb. 24, 2019: For a limited time, eligible existing Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® cardholders will be able to register to earn 25,000 points for every $25,000 in eligible purchases on the card, up to four times, for a maximum of 100,000 bonus points, based on the total amount of purchases starting from when the cardholder registers through Dec. 31, 2019. Terms apply. The registration period was initially supposed to end April 7, but American Express has extended it to May 31.

May 2019: The card will get a new design, shown above.

Verdict: If you wanted this card, you missed your chance to apply. These changes won't affect existing cardholders much — unless you're a cardholder who can cash in on the limited-time offer.

Positive changes: Limited-time offer for new cardholders, new benefits.

Negative changes: None.

Important dates:

Feb. 13, 2019: The card’s name changes from the Starwood Preferred Guest® American Express Luxury Card to the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card. Also at this time and through April 24, 2019, eligible new cardmembers who sign up for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card can receive 100,000 points after they spend $5,000 in the first three months of card membership. Terms apply.

March 28, 2019: Starting on this date, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® cardholders can get up to $100 in property credits per stay when they use their card and a special rate code to book stays of at least two nights at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis. Terms apply.

March 2019: The card will get a new design with steel construction.

Verdict: The limited-time welcome bonus could be a boon for those who were already planning to get the card. The $100 in property credits on select stays can also be valuable for frequent travelers.

Feb. 13, 2019: The card’s name changes from the Starwood Preferred Guest® Credit Card from American Express to the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card. As of April 24, 2019, the card now features the following welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Terms Apply.

March 28, 2019: On this date, two big changes will happen: Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card cardholders can get an additional free night award (valued at up to 35,000 points) when they spend $60,000 or more annually on the card, and the annual fee will increase to $125. Terms apply.

March 2019: The card will get a new design.

Verdict: Starting Feb. 13, 2019, AmEx will be the sole issuer of Marriott business credit cards, AmEx confirms. The limited-time welcome offer is a generous addition, and the chance to earn an additional free night could potentially be quite valuable. But for low-spending business owners, there are more cost-effective alternatives.

Changes to Chase cards

With Marriott's rebranding, Chase's Marriott consumer card will also get a makeover and a new limited-time sign-up bonus. This summer, Chase will also launch a no-fee Marriott card, the issuer confirms. However, after Feb. 13, 2019, it will no longer be accepting applications for its Marriott business card.

Feb. 28, 2019: On this date, the card’s name changes from the Marriott Rewards® Premier Plus Credit Card to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card. The design will also change. The card currently offers this sign-up bonus: Earn 75,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Verdict: The limited-time offer makes this card more appealing for new applicants than the offer from its former lookalike American Express counterpart, the soon-to-be Marriott Bonvoy™ American Express® Card.

April 2019: The $100 hotel credit on paid stays that are two nights or longer will include both The Ritz-Carlton and the St. Regis when you book direct using your card starting in April. (Currently, it applies only to stays at The Ritz-Carlton.)

Verdict: This card hasn't been accepting applications since July 2018, and these changes aren't a big deal.

Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card

Annual fee: $99.

Positive changes: Slightly improved benefits.

Negative changes: Will soon stop accepting applications.

Important dates:

Feb. 13, 2019: After this date, you'll no longer be able to apply for this card. At the same time, a benefit will be added allowing existing cardmembers to receive an additional free night award after $60,000 in spend each calendar year, valid at any property with a redemption value of up to 35,000 points.

Verdict: If you wanted this card, you missed the window to apply.

New no-fee Marriott card coming soon

Important dates:

Summer 2019: Chase says it plans to launch a no-fee Marriott credit card at this time. We don’t yet know the details.

Verdict: A no-fee Marriott card could be good news for those looking for Marriott loyalty benefits at no extra cost.

Credit card images courtesy of card issuers.

Information related to the Ritz-Carlton® Rewards Credit Card, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card and the Marriott Rewards Premier Plus Business Credit Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of these cards.

About the author: Claire Tsosie is a credit cards expert for NerdWallet. Her work has been featured by Forbes, USA Today and The Associated Press. Read more

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